Mike Tindall returns to England rugby fold

29/11/2011

Mike Tindall has been restored to the England rugby team's Elite Player Squad after appealing against his punishment for an off-field incident during the recent Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

The former captain had been also fined £25,000 for his misdemeanours, but this has been reduced to £15,000.

It means fans enjoying Six Nations hospitality at Twickenham next year may expect to see Tindall back on the field.

Acting chief executive at the Rugby Football Union Martyn Thomas announced the outcome of the appeal, stating: "We accept that there were mitigating factors which do not appear to have been taken into account to the extent that they might otherwise have been."

These included the woman at the centre of the incident being a close family friend, the fact that he had apologised to Martin Johnson and the team, plus his previous good conduct.

Disciplinary action taken after the World Cup also saw Chris Ashton and James Haskell given suspended fines and warnings about future conduct for a separate incident in New Zealand.

By Sam Smith